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In Boulder County yards, a little water goes a long way

Gardening at Altitude

Camera staff

Posted:
04/03/2012 11:09:12 AM MDT

Updated:
04/03/2012 11:12:12 AM MDT

Conditions around the northern Front Range have been heated, so much so that green thumbs have been pulling out their warm weather clothes and sporting sandals for spring cleanup, instead of the slightly tattered sweat pants and jackets. They're not the only ones showing off in the unseasonably warm weather: soil temperatures are rising, bulbs are bursting forth, fruit trees are mantled in bloom.

But the throughout the long, dry March, gardeners are watching the sky, worrying over the lack of snow or rain that our snowiest month usually brings. If you're getting itchy to get out and water, take a few tips from the pros before you turn on the faucet.

"It is crucial that homeowners check the amount of moisture in their soil before applying water to their grass," said Barry Wagner, president of the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (alcc.com) in a press release. "An easy way to test for soil moisture is to probe your lawn with a screwdriver. If it goes into the soil easily, that indicates sufficient moisture but if the screwdriver can't probe the soil, you want to apply water to that area."

With record dry weather, getting water onto the landscape before sprinkler systems are up and running is crucial. Early spring is a critical time for plants, when plants push root growth in preparation for summer. In dry soils, roots run the risk of dehydrating, dying back and leaving the plant vulnerable to stress from heat and drought in summer.

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Experts at Colorado State University recommend spring watering of lawns and trees, a practice that normally isn't necessary in March. Yet the dry conditions have made things difficult for plants, particularly those planted last season and not watered during the winter. Even established plants in warm exposures may show signs of winter drought once hot weather arrives, due to compromised root systems.

This summer stress often leads homeowners to overwatering, and larger pressure is put on our limited resources from people trying to correct a problem that was created months earlier. A bit of water now goes a long way later.

Brush up on your knowledge of Xeriscape and water conservation in the garden, and plan out your water-saving practices now. Double check water requirements of plants before you pop them in your garden, and ask yourself if high water vegetables and fruit, such as corn or raspberries, are something you could do without planting this year.

You can still have a bountiful food garden, but check the list of water use by the most commonly grown vegetables, then plan your patch according to water savings. You can find this list by calling your local Extension office.

And though many gardeners are savvy to the need for landscape watering, don't be tempted to turn on your sprinkler systems just yet, says ALCC. Generally, sprinkler systems should be turned on in mid-April, when there is less of a chance for a hard freeze to damage the backflow prevention device -- the brass valve on the outside of a home. If you've given into temptation and turned your system on earlier, be sure to swaddle the backflow prevention device with insulation.

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